Hayfever

Self care for hayfever

You do not need a prescription for hayfever medicines. Many treatments are available for little cost from a community pharmacy.

Community pharmacists can offer advice on how to avoid triggers and how to treat your hayfever.

What treatments can I buy?

Speak to a local pharmacist to get advice on the best treatment for your symptoms and always read the patient information leaflet that is included with the medicine.

Examples of products available to buy include:

Antihistamine tablets and syrupGenerally effective at controlling symptoms of hayfever.

Antihistimines are more effective if they are taken before symptoms start rather than after. Some older antihistamine tablets such as chlorphenamine can cause drowsiness.Newer antihistamines are unlikely to cause drowsiness and include cetirizine, loratadine, and acrivastine. If you drive or operate machinery ask the community pharmacist which tablets would be best for you.

Nasal spraysUseful if you suffer nasal symptoms and can be used instead of, or in addition to, antihistamine tablets.

Steroid nasal sprays suppress the allergic reaction and inflammation of hayfever and take about 3 days to work. They are best started before the hayfever season begins and used throughout the season even if your symptoms have improved.Antihistamine nasal sprays can be useful for people who have symptoms now and again.Nasal decongestant sprays are useful if you suffer from a blocked nose, however they can only be used for 7 days as longer use can cause rebound congestion and block your nose up again. You may find inhalants (eucalyptus, menthol and Olbas Oil) helpful to ease blocked and stuffy noses.

Eye drops

If your eye symptoms are not controlled by oral antihistamines, eye drops containing sodium cromoglicate or lodoxamide may be useful.If you wear contact lenses you should check with a community pharmacist or your optician before using eye drops.

Other useful treatments

Simple pain relief (e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen) can help with headaches and sinus pain. Throat lozenges can help ease tickly throats and palates. Decongestant tablets should relieve blocked noses.

Source: NHS PrescQIPP

You can also access advice on hayfever self-care 24 hours a day on the NHS Choices website here

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About Us

NHS NEW Devon CCG - Northern, Eastern and Western Devon CCG is one of the largest in the country with a registered population of 882,800 served by 116 member practices. It is organised on a three locality basis, ensuring the CCG will be responsive to the needs of local people whilst benefitting from economies of scale where things only need to be done once. Through our vision, mission and core strategies we will place patients and public at the heart of commissioning. We have enshrined this in our constitution and in our organisational design principles.